Vaughan Pool Opening

Spring Pool Care: What to Do & When 

It is an unofficial rule that pools should be ready for the May long weekend but just because it is tradition, doesn’t mean that it is the best idea. Opening a pool too early can mean dealing with the aftermath of unexpected cold snaps, while waiting too long can mean missing out on the first warm days of spring. When the average outdoor temperature reaches 21 degrees, it is safe to fire up your water systems but there is more to it than just flipping on a heater. 

In order to get the best results for your swimming pool it is important to implement a multi-step approach that treats the surface areas of your pool, as well as the internal systems that keep water flowing. 

Step 1: When you pull back your pool cover after months of sitting stagnant, you are likely going to see cloudy or discoloured water and a ton of debris. It is important to remove any debris that has built up in your pool but that is impossible to do if you can’t see the bottom. Shocking your pool clears away cloudiness and gets rid of discolouration so our technicians can see exactly what we are working with. During the course of a pool closing your water levels have likely been dropped so it is important to refill pool water so it reaches the skimmer line. 

Step 2: Once chemicals have settled and you have a more clear picture of the amount of debris in your pool basin, it is time to get rid of unwanted items! Standard pool vacuums are not designed to reach into tight spaces or hard angles. This means corners and the area around stairs are prone to bacteria and debris buildup. Specialty tools are designed to reach into even the hardest to reach places and specialty brushes scrub away residue without damaging liners. Skimmer baskets are also likely packed with unpleasant debris like leaves, seed pods, dust, dirt and even rodents. 

Step 3: Checking your water chemistry is an important part of regular pool maintenance but it is particularly important when opening up for the season. Following an initial chemical application and deep cleaning, Puddle technicians will finish off pool openings with a final balancing. Having pool water tested by an expert means checking chlorine levels, as well as pH levels, alkalinity and calcium. 

Step 4: Assessing pool filters and equipment are an important part of the opening process. If there are clogs and blockages in filters and return lines it will lead to unnecessary wear and tear, the need for premature replacements and a whole lot of headache. Pool specialists will be able to tell you if it’s time to remove, clean and replace a cartridge filter, or if sand filters need to be emptied and the sand replaced. Checking your pool filter is as simple as a visual inspection or checking a pressure gauge but it is often overlooked — but not by our experts!